It might be prudent to sit starters a little earlier against the Arizona Cardinals. Del Rio's roster isn't exactly the deepest; one big injury and all that offseason momentum vanishes.

He also has to weigh his team's youth factor. Young stars like Derek Carr need valuable time to learn the new offense. Rookies like Amari Cooper and Mario Edwards need that same time to adjust to NFL speed.

Said Del Rio: "The conditioning aspect, not only physically but mentally, it's important, so it's an important part, but you have to weigh that against having your best people healthy and ready to go for the year."